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Loyola QB passes the test at Santa Fe Tournament of Champions

Santa Fe vs. Pacifica during a passing league game during the Tournament of Champions at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2014.
(Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News)

Santa Fe vs. Pacifica during a passing league game during the Tournament of Champions at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe Springs, Calif., on Saturday, July 12, 2014.
(Keith Birmingham/Pasadena Star-News)

SANTA FE SPRINGS >> Loyola High was the only team out of 30 left standing Saturday at the Santa Fe Tournament of Champions 7-on-7 passing competition, thanks in part to the 10-for-10 passing effort of junior quarterback Tre Polamalu in the Cubs’ final series.

Polamalu, the son of UCLA assistant coach Kennedy Polamalu and a relative of NFL star Troy Polamalu, scored at least one point for the Cubs on each play in their 10-play series against defending TOC champion South Hills with sharp, accurate passes. Passes between 5-10 yards were worth one point, 11-25 yards were worth two points and 25-plus yard completions were worth three points.

Loyola held a narrow 19-16 lead on South Hills entering the series and reached the winning 30-point level on the 10th play.

“I just executed the plays,” said Polamalu, who in the fall will begin his second season as the Cubs’ starting quarterback. “I wasn’t trying to make anything up.”

Loyola reached the final by knocking off Cypress in the semifinals in a game it had to rally to win. Cornerback Daniel Tolbert sealed the victory with a two-point interception.

“We got down early and the kids fought back,” said second-year Loyola coach Marvin Sanders. “I’m proud of how they responded.”

The Loyola-South Hills final capped a long day of passing and lineman competition at Santa Fe. Teams in the passing competition opened with pool play in the morning, then went into the knockout phase after lunch. The lineman competition — also with 30 participants — consisted of 10 team events, including bench press, an obstacle course, tire flips, sled drives and the always-popular tug-o-war.

With its massive athletic area at the back of the campus, Santa Fe had 14 different fields in use at one time early in the afternoon.

“It’s a great experience for the kids,” said Santa Fe coach Dave Pierson, “a great opportunity for them to compete.”

Teams from the greater Whittier area, Orange County, San Gabriel Valley, Inland Empire, South Bay and even from out of state (Arizona and Utah) took part.

Santa Fe won its first game of the afternoon, defeating Garden Grove Pacifica, before losing to South Hills. Whittier was beaten by Long Beach Wilson and Chavez from Arizona.

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The consolation championship in the passing competition went to Bell, which beat West Adams in its semifinal. Bell didn’t play a final because the other consolation semifinalists, John Burroughs and Olympus (Utah) brawled with each other and were sent home.

Also Saturday, El Rancho hosted its annual Rumble at the Ranch, which featured over 25 teams in passing competition. The host Dons reached the semifinals, falling to San Clemente. Including pool play, El Rancho finished the day with a 4-2 record.

St. Bonaventure beat Yucaipa in the semifinals and then topped San Clemente in the final.